Wednesday, August 31, 2005

31 August Orcalab reports

10:12 PDT Distant calls audible.
We are hearing A4 calls on CRPT. the A11s who came back from the east last night, now going east to the bight. There are T18s off Big Bay too.

12:04 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
T18s and T143s are in front OF CP, A11s and A8s are rubbing

13:02 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A11s left Rubbing beach, came back to the Bight. The I15s are along VI side off Kaikash, going east. T18s and T143s are going east along to CI side.

15:22 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After meeting up off Robson Bight the A11s,A8s and the I15s headed east. A few brushed past the beaches. The transients of earlier are a bit further east near Naka Creek. They are also east bound at the last report. The A30s are east bound in Blackfish Sound nearing Blackney Pass.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

27 August Orcalab reports:

03:40 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
We think the A11s along with A73 & the A8s have come up from the east and joined the I15s, A30s and the A36s off Robson Bight and are now heading west toward CP.

04:48 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A30s have already come up to CP and have turned into Blackney Pass. We can hear their blows. Boat noise in the Strait has quietened the others (the A11s,A8s,A36s and I15s for now):

10:23 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A30s came back from Blackfish Sound via Blackney pass and re-entered the Strait shortly afterwards. they are now headed east. The I15s were quite close to critical just before this so they are not too far away in the Strait. Earlier this morning we lost track of the A4s and the A5s and the a36s and think they may have returned east from the Bight around 4:30am.

Friday, August 26, 2005

26 August Orcalab reports

15:02 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s are opposite the Bight mid strait. The I15s and the A36s are still together. They moved away from the Vancouver Island shore at Izumi and angled toward the "Pig Ranch" (east of the Sophia Islands). The A36s are apparently paying the I15s a lot of attention. All groups,for now, are continuing on aneastward trend, across and against the ebb flow. The A8s, A11s and A73 are still in the "lower "Johnstone Strait area.

Monday, August 22, 2005

22 August Orcalab reports

07:47 PDT Superb sounds!!
Good morning everyone! There is no fog this morning, and we've been listening to lovely calls from the A30s & I15s on the Critical Point hydrophone for hours. We think they are fairly close to Robson Bight, perhaps heading east, though we're not sure of their direction. The A11s & A8s were also in the Strait overnight, but we lost track of them around 2am.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

21 August Orcalab reports:

14:15 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
To catch up: the A30s and the I15s continued east to the Reserve. The I15s had crossed between Big Bay and the eastern end of Hanson Island and moved over to the Vancouver island shore. The A30s moved into midstrait beforew each group headed into the reserve. Meanwhile, we heard A4 and A5 calls on Flower island and Local Left. It's probable that the A11s/A8s came through Blackney and crossed to Kaikash Creek. Since then the I15s turned out of the Reserve followed, now, by the A30s.

15:34 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s are in front of CP. The I15s are off Little Kaikash. The A11s and the A8s are nearby as well.

19:10 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A11s and the A8s are heading east at Critical Point. The I15s are also going east along the Vancouver Island shore from Kaikash Beach, the A30s shouldn't be far behind.

22:53 PDT Distant calls audible.
Well the calls are getting louder on CP so maybe the whales are headed that way slowly. So far we have heard the A4s and A1s. There may have been an A5 call or two. What happened to the I15s? Lovely moon again high over Blackney.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

20 August Orcalab reports

12:21 PDT Orcas near mics.
Sounds like some of the groups are coming back from the east. We are listening to A30s and A4 calls on CRPT hydrophone.

13:38 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A30s, A11s, A8s and A73 are currently spread out in the Izumi area heading west but stopping to forage from time to time. The I15s are further back. We may not have mentioned but I41's dorsal fin has totally collapsed to the right. hopefully he is ok. he is 25 years old.

15:22 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A11s, A73 & the A8s are going west up the Hanson Island shore near Big Bay. A73 was with a group of dolphins for a while. Some A30s are way back east of Boat Bay We think perhaps A39 travelled west maybe as far as the CP area but ? let the others continue. Still pretty foggy.

16:46 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Just after 3pm A13 pulled the others over to the Vancouver Island shore from Big Bay after being surrounded by dolphins. The groups continued up to blinkhorn and beyon where they milled about for a while. We heard A30 calls off Critical Point about this same time. right now the A11s have apparently turned toward Weynton Pass from the Wastell Islands just east of Telegraph Cove.

19:47 PDT Distant calls audible.
We've been hearing distant calls from the A4s on the Flower Island hydrophone... sounds like the A11s & A8s have headed north through Weynton Pass. Meanwhile, the A30s are headed back to the east & are mid-strait, off the east end of Hanson Island
Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Friday, August 19, 2005

19 August Orcalab reports

12:47 PDT Orcas near mics.
Despite the boat noise the A30s are sounding great in the Bight. They crossed from Boat Bay and are in the reserve now fishing. Reports from Robson Bight Charters via the Naiad: the a11s and the A8s are back in Nodales, the A36s are headed east from Hickey Point and the I15s are west bound at Camp Point. The t18s are in Chancellor Channel. fog is rolling back in but the sun keeps trying.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

16 August Orcalab reports:

02:59 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
the A12s and A4s are at the Beaches

09:19 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s with A12 and A33 in the lead led the A35s and the C10s into Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, other groups moved past CP and into the entrance of Blackney Pass. One group may be heading up the Hanson shore to the west, some might come into Blackney after the others.

10:52 PDT Distant calls audible.
here is a surprise. Around 10am Stubbs Island Whale Watching and the Bluefjord reported that the Bs popped up, unanounced, in the middle of Blackfish Sound! This was as the A12s/A35s/C10s moved westward through Blackfish. We think it is the A5s (A8s+) and A11s who are still in the Strait. Noone has seen the A30s and A36s this morning. Are they still to the east in Johnstone Strait?

11:22 PDT Distant calls audible.
The Bs just entered the Strait after travelling through Weynton Pass. The A8s and A11s are in the Bight. The A12s & the A35s are heading into Queen charlotte Strait. The C10s have disappeared.

12:10 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A11s sound like they are close to Critical Point in the Bight. The A8s should be with them. The Bs are moving steadily eastward and now can be heard on CP. The A12s & A35s are still in Queen Charlotte Strait.

13:32 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas have reached the Main rubbing beach.

14:11 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A8s are now rubbing, following the A4s & the Bs.

16:15 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After A4s, Bs and A8s finished rubbing, the A36s suddenly showed up in the Bight. they are probably going to west, but very quiet now.

23:34 PDT No orcas present.
We've heard no calls so far this evening, and are not sure what happened to the A36s as they headed west in Johnstone Strait this afternoon. We think the A11s, A8s, & Bs all headed east after an intense rub, and that the A12s, A35s & C10s headed north into Queen Charlotte Strait. We are waiting.

Monday, August 15, 2005

15 August Orcalab reports

11:06 PDT No calls but orcas nearby

Oh Boy! It was very difficult to read the c10 calls and figure out what direction they ended up going. max flood was happening just when we stopped hearing their calls and logic would have them taking advantage of the tide to go east but we never heard the calls get very loud on the critical Point station. Meanwhile the a12s and the A4s have been seen in Queen Charlotte Strait. They are slowly east bound at Black Bluff. (Tuan/Seasmoke Whale Watching report).

18:48 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
We feel like we have been in suspended animation. The A12s and the A35s took forever to come out of Queen Charlotte Strait and into Blackfish Sound and through Blackney Pass. It was worth it! They were beautiful passing the lab. They are now on their way to Johnstone Strait and hopefully CP.

19:23 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s and A35s have passed CP now and crossed over to mid strait, they are making their way to the east slowly.

21:31 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
No calls but the whales are at the beaches.

23:02 PDT Distant calls audible.
So far we have been listening to A4s on Critical Point.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

14 August Orcalab reports

10:03 PDT No orcas present.
Another foggy morning here. We think the A12s continued up into Queen Charlotte Strait after passing through blackney pass at 4:30am. There has been a report of whales off Lizard Point milling. As of now there has been no identifications. Down to the east the A36s are off Kelsey Bay (Robson Bight Charters report). They are headed east with others yet to be identified. We thought that after the 1:30am rub the A30s, A4s, A5s, Cs and A36s went off to the east. The A5s we believe came up from the east to have the rub and encourage the others to follow them back to the east. We will keep you updated when the information comes in. meanwhile, we are waiting for the thick fog to lift and begin our day.

11:57 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The a12s have moved into the kelp bed just off Donegal Head. This is just out of range of the Flower Island hydrophone. We also heard a report (kayak group) of a group of 9 heading west along the vancouver Island shore from Naka Creek (also out of range). So.... it is all beginng to happen.

O12:42 PDT rcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The whales from the east have not yet gone into the beaches but they have approached the east end of the Reserve. We are filming, CH B.The A12s meanwhile are heading to the Strait via Weynton Pass.
Distant calls audible.

13:14 PDT The A12s have entered the Strait. Unidentified whales are still westbound through the Reserve.

14:06 PDT Orcas near mics.
Ah ha! It must have been the A4s coming up from the east. They just passed Critical Point very closely. The a12s are coming east along the Hanson Island shore at Big b|Bay. CP is watching them.

17:25 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s and the A4s, after reaching Blinkhorn, turned and crossed into mid strait. they are now drifting eastward. there is a small group of transients by Donegal Head moving west into Queen Charlotte Strait.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

13 August Orcalab reports

04:54 PDT Superb sounds!!
We are listening to the A12s who come back from the east.

06:10 PDT Distant calls audible.
the A12s and the A4s became quiet. now we are listening to the A36s, on CP hydrophone. Foggy morning.

08:17 PDT Distant calls audible.
We think we are getting the next wave of orcas coming up out of the east. We are now listening to the cs and possibly the A5s as well. The A36s,A11s and the A12s faded off to the west a short while ago. Very foggy this morning.

09:34 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A30s have arrived back in the Strait and have met up with the A12s,A4s,A36s and Cs. they are eastbound from the west end of Hanson Island. meanwhile the very big group of transients of the last couple of days just went through Blackney to blackfish Sound after passing CP.

10:01 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The whales have moved down the hanson shore and approaching the entrance to Blackney Pass. We may be filming soon.

11:30 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
It is certainly one of those days - very intense. The transients are continuing west from the west end of Blackfish Sound while the residents (the A36s, Cs (C10s,C6s), A4s (A11s at least) and A30s continue to move into the Reserve. The A12s turned back to the west at the Sophias and are moving towards CP once more.

17:46 PDT Distant calls audible.
all the groups have turned. Spread out, heading to the east.

19:16 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Old news by now- but the whales are having a lovely rub this evening. A30s first.

21:36 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
It is getting very dark at the beaches but the A36s and the C10s are very much there, taking their turn after the A4s and A30s. Perhaps they will go back and join in again.

22:27 PDT Distant calls audible.
Westbound? The night begins!

Friday, August 12, 2005

12 August Oraclab reports

09:55 PDT No orcas present.
Rather a late start this morning. But it was quiet through the night. There are still whales to the east (most likely the A4s/A5s/C10s and A12s). There is no further word on the Rs or the transients of yesterday. Calm day and we will see what unfolds.

11:43 PDT No orcas present.
Everyone in the western Johnstone Strait is happily watching various humpbacks in different locales. There are 3 in Blackney Pass at the moment. Meanwhile,the C10s are far to the east,at Camp Point, while the A12s are travelling with the A4s and A5s in Nodales Channel which is not too far from the Cs.

15:58 PDT No orcas present.
Over the afternoon there have been a few developments: a group of orcas may be nearing the Eve River on their way to the west. This may be the C10s who were reported earlier going west from Camp Point. The a36s apparently turned up in Nodales! We lost track of them days ago and they must have gone east and not out to the west as first guessed. The other surprise is that there have been persistent reports of the A12s off Campbell River. Earlier it was reported that they and the A4s and A5s were in Nodales.The latest report has them and the A11s heading north through Seymour Narrows (north of Campbell River).

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

10 August Orcalab reports

16:40 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Lots happening! the A12s turned off big bay and are now headed across to the Vancouver Island shore. A group of transient orcas have come out of Knight Inlet and are headed toward Donegal Head. And finally, the very BIG group which was seen earlier in the day is still far to the west of the "core area". Some of the groups have broken off and moved away while another group remains off the Port Hardy airport and is still eastbound. There is not yet a complete description of who has been positively sighted but it may include A4s, A5s along with Cs.

21:29 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
If you are watching Channel A you will have realised that a silent group came through Blackney and are passing CP. For us at the Lab the whales were on the far side in fading light but we think that the A4s and A5s were in the two groups which passed. While they were entering the last part of Blackney, just before entering the Strait, we began to hear R clan calls on Flower Island. There is currently a large boat in Blackfish which is drowning the calls. This could soon be very exciting!

21:58 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The Rs, who are very vocal are still in Blackfish Sound, close to the Flower Island hydrophone. Ahead of them, the C10s, A5s, &A4s are already in Johnstone Strait, heading east.

22:53 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Everyone is momentarily quiet BUT the Rs are negotiating the last part of Blackney while the A12s,A4s, A5s and Cs are passing Critical Point. Strange how they all fell silent at the same time!